Process of and apparatus for refining liquid hydrocarbons



F'. E. WE'LLM ANF PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR REFI'NIN G LIQUID EYDR OCARBQNS.

. APPLICATION min 05c, 3 0 1915. 1,335,768

Patented Apr. 6,1920.

2 S HEETSSHEET l- F. E. WELLMAN.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 30; 1915.

' 2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

' Patented A... 6,1920.

{Ff 6C588 OF AND APPARATUS EOR REFINING LIQUID HYDROCARBONS.

& 0 7/ UNITED STATES PATENT ormon.

FRANK E. WELLHAN, OF KANSAS CITY, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE KANSAS GASOLINE COMPANY, OF KANSASCI'IY, KANSAS, A CORPORATION OF KANSM.

rnoonss or AND arrnna'rus FOR nnrmme macro mnooannonsf Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 6, 1920.

Original application filed June 7, 1915, Serial No. 82,704. Divided and this application filed December 80,

. 1915. Serial Io. 69,499.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, FRANK E. Wnnmun, a citizen of the United States, residin at Kansas City, in the county of W an otte and State of Kansas, have inv'ente certain new and useful 1m rovementsin Processes of and Apparatus or Refinin Liquid Hydrocarbons, of which the to lowing is a specification, reference being hadtherein to t e accompanying drawing.

My invention relates to the. refinin of hydrocarbon oils, and has for its 0 ject the production of an improved process therefor, and apparatus by which the said process may be advantageously practised.

This application is a division of my co-- pending application Serial No. 32,704, filed June 7, 1915, and the essential feature in the present case is the separate control of a high ressure zone and a low ressure zone, inra c osed circuit through which the hydrocarbon under treatment is continually passed; the hydrocarbon being heated and vaporized in the low pressure zone, superheated and cracked in the high pressure zone, the heavier constituents being then returned to the low pressure zone, and the desired lighter products being drawn off and condensed without such return. The proc-- as is rendered continuous by replacing the cracked product by oil .in its primary or "untreated condition, in the low pressure.

' gears 10 and 10" are driven by the pinion zone.

. The apparatus for practising this process includes a primary heater and vaporizer, a

7 com ressor, a superheater for cracking,

con ensing means, with means for fractionally separating the constituents of the cracked or partially cracked product and means for carrying back the heavier or uncracked constituents to the primary apparatus.

In the drawings attached hereto I have illustrated diagrammatically'the best form of apparatus known tome at the date of filing the above mentioned parent application, for practising my invention.

In the drawings,

Fi re 1 is a vertical elevation of a typi cal orm of the apparatus, with parts in section.

F 2 is a detail sectional view of one of the actional condenser connections.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of a form of Fig. 5 is a lon 'tudinalsectional view of a known type 0 compressor which I employ. r

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of a known tym of pressure retaining valve for the compressor system.

As an understanding of the. apparatus elements shown in Figs. 3 to 5 will aid in the understanding of my invention, I shall describe them first, a broad description sufficing as the specific structure of the said elements here shown forms no part of my invention and the may be substituted by other elements su serving the same fume- .tions. Figs. 3 and i are respectively longitud naland transverse sectional views oi passing a fluid from a high pressure container to a low pressure container at a given rate regardless of the difierence, in pressure and to hold back the pressure from the low ressure container. It consists of a pair of mtermeslung gears 10 and 10 nested in a casing having inlet and outlet ducts 10 and 10", respectively, and arranged with asnug fit of their sides and the ends of the outer,

gear teeth with the walls of the casing. The

10 carried by the shaft 10.

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of a ty e of compressor selected from the prior art 111 which the material to be com ressed is first drawn into the low pressure 0 amber by the iston 5 through the inlet 5" and the upper arge valves and forced out through hand end valve to theduct 5 from whence it is finally drawn into a igh pressure chamber by the plunger 5' through the upper left-hand end valve and forced out at hi h pressure through the lower left-hand va ve and conduit 5. The connection and arrangement of this compressor, for down discharge, is original with me but is not claimed herein.

mice 1 by which heat may be initially applied to vaporize the hydrocarbon liquidif desired.- From this container a pi e line t extends to the compressor 5, whic may be of the type shown in Fig. 5, which is selected from the prior art for purposes of illustration and is not in itself a part of my invention, or to be claimed herein as such. In this type of compressor, as well understood by those familiar with the art, the material to be compressed isdrawn in'through the intake valves, which close as compression starts, whereby no back pressure is communicated through the pipe 4, but the dischar e 'under pressure is forward only, in the drocarbon under pressure -;is thus forced into the upper convolution of the coil 6, which while referred to herein as a superheater, is primarily a pipe-still adapted to resist high pressures.

In the form shown, the heating means for the coil 6 comprises an oil jacket 14 connected at one end through pipe 18 to a boiler 16, and at the other end through a pipe 17 to a circulating pump 19 and thence to the boiler 16. This boiler is heated by a furnace 20, and contains oil which is circulated by the pump 19 through the space- 15 within the jacket 14 and around the coil 6, returning to the boiler through the pipe 18. The pump 19 may be of any suitable type, and is not structurally illustrated, as in itself it forms no palt of thepresent invention. The boiler 16 and its furnace must be of such a type that the temperature of the oil in the boiler can be raised to a maximum of about 850 degrees F ahrenheit, and properly regulated within that limit. I may state here that in using the container 2 to vaporize the primary charge of liquid hydrocarbon, I have found it advisable to limit the maximum temperature in the boiler 2 to about 650 degrees Fahrenheit, and it should be borne in mind that for the essential purposes of the process I do not require and therefore do not produce pressure in the boiler 2. In using the expression hereinafter means for vaporizing the liquid at low pressure, I mean substantially no pressure above atmospheric. or a pressure extending from so measured zero to a very low maximum of a few pounds only. If the container 2 should be filled with liquid, the compressor would draw over, and deliver under pressure to the coil 6, either liquid mixed with vapor, or liquid alone. I make no point herein of such de livery of liquid, as the specific arrangement I describe and shall claim herein contemplates the delivery of vapor to the comirection of the superheater 6. The hy-' pressor; but a good compressor, such for ex" ample as is commonly known in the art under the name fIngersoll-Rand, will bandle oil as well as vapor, and thetransmis sion of hi h pressure to the coil 6 is not impaired t ereby.

The lower end of the coil 6 terminates in a union 7, from which a branch pipe 8 connects with a return pipe 9, andthrough the back trap pump 10 to the initial source of supply for the compressor 5. The pump 10 may be of any suitable type, such for example as shown in Fig. 3, with or without a separate valveof known type, the principal requirement being to maintain the full head of pressure in the coil 6, without permitting any escape thereof through the pipe 9 to thetank 2. It will be sufiiciently apparent to those skilled in the art, without specific description, that the pump 10 may be replaced by other pressure retaining means, without departure from the spirit of my invention. The function of the pipe 9 is to drain ofi condensed liquid hydrocarbon which has passed throughthe union 7, without reli'evin the pressure at the union end of the coil 6. Any trap or back pressure device known in the art which will perform this function will satisfy the purpose of my invention.

Rising from the union 7 is a pipe 13 leading to what I shall call my fractionator, or fractional condenser. The pipe 13 termi nates at a cross 22, one branchof which delivers into a pipe :24 and through a valve 31 to the final condenser 25, which may be of any ordinary and suitable type, comprising as shown, a coil immersed in cooling liquid circulated through a tank 26. The lower end of the coil 25 must obviously be pro vided with pressure controlling means, to prevent loss of pressure through the condenser from the pipe retort or superheater 6. Such means in the present case comprise the tank 27, provided with a pressure controlling relief valve '28 and a valved drain pipe 29 through which the condensed liquid may be drawn oil from the tank. The valve 28 may be of any suitable type, such as that shown in Fig. 6, which illustrates a well known device employed for pressure controlhng'purposes,and in which the degree of pressure at which the device will blow ofi is determinable by adjustment. 7

The valve 31 in the pipe 9A, when closed cuts off the pipe 13 and the cross 22 from the condenser Opening from a branch 32 in the cross is the first section 33 of the fractional condenser, having a. cut-off valve 34 which is opened when the valve 31 is closed. The upper end of the coil or set of pipes 33 o ens into a cross 22", connected through a pipe '24 to pipe 36 leading to the condenser 25. Rising from the upper part of the cross 22 is another stage or section 33 of the fractional condenser, provided with a cut-off valve 34"; and from the cross at the upper end of this second section a pipe connects it to the pipe 36, and a third section rises also cross connected, and in every respect like the preceding sections. Each of the cross connecting plpes following 24 is provided with .9, valve; and it follows from this construction that by proper manipulation of the valves 31 and 34, 31 and 34", and so on, vapors from the pipe 13 may be caused to pass (1) direct to the condenser 25, or (2) through the section 33 and pipes 24 and 36 to the condenser 25', or (3) through both sections 33 and 33 in series and then back through pipe 36 to the condenser 25, or (4) through all'th'ree sections 33, 33", and 33, in series and then on to the condenser 25, or (5) through still further sections of the fractional condenser, if such there be, and then on to condenser 25.

It will be observed that from the highest point of the fractional condenser system to the lowest point of the drainage pipe 9, there is a continuous fall. This is in order to completely drain back through all the pipes and the union 7, all li condensed in the pipes. In ig. 2 I have shown on a larger scale a section of the cross 22 and connected parts. It will be observed that in each cross a thermometer 38 is inserted, whereby the temperature of the vapor may be continuously observed as it rises. All of the fractional condenser units 33, 33", etc., are preferably air cooled, and being exposed to the atmosphere, are kept at substantially constant external temperature.

The operation of the apparatus thus described is as follows: The liquid hydrocarbon or other compound to be treated is placed in the primary container or vaporizer 2, where it may be heated to produce vaporization. The composite vapor is then drawn off through the pipe 4 by the compressor 5 and delivered into the coil of the piperetort 6 under pressure, which is controllable as to its degree in several ways. It may be controlled first by regulating the amount of power delivered to the compressor from the engine or other prime mover; or second, by regulating the percentage of power actually expended in compressionin the piperetort 6, or in other words the percentage of efficiency of the compressor; or third, by means of the valves 3134, 31"34", etc.; or fourth, by the valve 28; or fifth and finally, by any or all of these in combination. It will be particularly observed that the production and regulation of the pressure in the pipe-retort 6 are thus rendered entirely mechanical, and are entirely independent of and extraneous to the heating system, by which I mean the agencies for communicating heat energy to'the hydrocarbon under uid products treatment in any stage ofthe process. On the other hand, it is to be observed with equal particularity that the production and regulation of heat as.a separate factor, in the hydrocarbon contained within the piperetort 6 are by means of agencies controllable quite independently of the compression system. The simple and most obvious method of regulating the heat is of course by regulating the temperature in the boiler 16, and for that purpose regulating the intensity of the flame in the furnace, or the percentage of efliciency of the same in any well understood manner. Any heating effect due to compression, and any compression efiect due to heat, are to be regarded as inthe vapor is broken down or cracked to separate the elements into their several groups. This effect is due to.the molecules being compressed in close relation and at the same time caused to move rapidly because .of the-high temperature and results in a reduction from groups having higher to groups having lower specific gravity, the high and controllable pressure on the superheated vapor also preventing excessive decomposition of the compound by the high temperature, and serving to hold the compound in the desired series.

After cracking. and when the vapor has been driven downwardly through the coil 6, it passes into the pipe 13 and is delivered into the fractional condensers or directly into the final condenser according to the condition of the valves 3134. If valve 3 is closed and valve 31 open, the vapor passes into the condenser 25 and after condensation into the tank 27 or through the pipe pipes 8 and 9 and back in the system to a prunary source of supply shown as the tank 2, but which may be any one of the primary containers if a plurality of the same be employed.

If the valve 31 be closed and the valve 34: be open, the vapor will pa'ss through the pipes 33, rising to the cross 22*, vapor re-' maining at that point passing over through the pipe 36 to the final condenser 25, while liquid condensed in the pipe 33 will drain down by gravity throughout the length thereof, through the cross 32 and the pipe 13 to the union 7 and so to the return pipes 8 and 9. If a series oflower specific gravity be desired, one or more additional sections 33" and 33 are cut in by manipulation of their valves 31--34", etc. The lower the specific gravity desired, the more sectional units should be out in, until only the desired vapors will ascend and pass over the final cross connection '24 to the pi 36 and condenser 25; while the condensation liquid 10 containing all units of higher specific gravity will pass back through the ipe 13 and the return pi 9 to the iiiitia va rizer,

to bc' re-(listilled and re-cracked, y unbroken continuation of the-process;

I aware that fractional condensation has been proposed, but not in the manner nor by the means which I disclose, nor for selective purposes and witl selective functions as here n set forth, no'rwith regulating means, not in combination with cracking means or a superlieater of the type and for the purpose herein set forth. I shall therefore claim broadly all the features which I consider to be new and original with me, including those named. I shall also claim broadly as a cliaracteristicfeature of my invention, the combination described of ,acompressor and a pipe retort, as well as independently controlled compressing and heating means.

It isto be understood that various changes in matters of detail may be made, and other forms of apparatus ma be substituted, in and-for the apparatus s iown and described herein, without departing from the spirit of in invention. -All such changes and modi cations are contemplated by me, and

are intended to be included within the scope of the followin claims.

40 Having thus escribed my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patcut is: e

1. Ap aratus for refining liquid hydrocarbons 'y continuous process comprising a complete circulating system which includes the following elements connected togetl'ier in tandem :1 (a) a container or source of supply vaporizing hydrocarbons at low pressure, 30a compressor adapted to drufw 5c in hydrocar n vapor at low pressure from the source of supply, and then force it forward in the system, under compression, (0)

a retort ada ted to resist very high pressures receiving t e hydrocarbon vapors under 'compression from the compressor, ((5) a return pipe line leading from the delivery side of the retort back to the source of sup ply, (0) means in said pipe to permit coutiiiuous circulation in the system through elements (a), (b), (c), and (Zi),butadapted to hold back the pressure in theretort; and means for-heating the retort and its contents to a very high temperature while under pressure, and condensing means connected to the ll e very side 0 of supply, (e) means in said pipe to permit in tandem in the order named: (a) a com taineror source of supply tovaporize hydrocarbons under low pressure, (1)) a compresredetermined consor adapted to draw in hydrocarbon Va or from the source of supgly and force it orward the system, an er compression, (0) a cont nuous pipe-retoit adapted to resist very high pressures, receiving the hydrocarbon vapor under compression from the 00m pressor, (d) a return ipe line leading from the delivery side of t e retort back to the source of supply, (0) means in said pipe to permit continuous circulation in the system through elements (a), (b), (o), and (d),but

adapted to hold back the pressure in the retort; and means for heating the retort and its contents to a ver high temperature while under pressure, an condensing means connected tothe circulating system between the retort and the return pipe line, adapted to continuously receive and condense predetermined constituents of the product in course of circulation through the system after exposure in the retort to heat and pressure, with consequent crackin of the va or.

3. Apparatus for reh ning liqui hydrocarbons y continuous process comprising a complete circulating system which includes the following elements connected together in tandem in theorder named: (a) a source .of supply comprising means for vaporizing hydrocarbons under low pressure, (b) a compressor adapted to draw in hydrocarbon' vapor from the source of supply and force it forward in the system -under compression, (c) a retort adapted to resist very high pressures, receiving the hydrocarbon under compression from the compressor,

a'return fpipe line leading from the the retort back to the source continuous circulation in the system through elements (a (b), (a), and (d),but adapted to hold bac the pressure in the retort; and means for heating the retort and its contents to a very, high temperature while under pressure, and selective means connected to the circulating system between the retort and the return pipe line, said means adapted to. select andpass out of the systemlor final condensation predetermined constituent K011310118 only of the. product of cracking in t e retort, and acting to return the residue of the product to the return pipe line for continued inclusion in the circulation and further exposure to the several steps in the process.

4. Apparatus for refining. liquid hydrocarbons comprising a source of supply of the hydrocarbon, means to vaporize the hydrocarbon, a retort adapted to resist high pressures, means connected between the source and the retort adapted to take in hydrocarbon vapor at low pressure from the source and deliver the same under compression to the retort, a source of power for said compressing means, means independent of the compressing means and of its source of' power, to heat the retort and its contents while under high pressure, to a temperature high enough to break down the molecules, of the hydrocarbon, selective means connected to receive the product from the retort and adapted to separate the different constituents of said product, and a plurality of pipe connections to carry off the separated products from said selective means, said selective means being arranged to receive the product in a constantly upward movement therethrough'from near the bottom of the retort.

5. Apparatus for refining liquid hydrocarbons comprising a source of supply and means for vaporizing hydrocarbons under low pressure, a retort adapted to resist high pressures, means connected between said vaporizing means and the retort adapted to take in hydrocarbon vapor at low pressure from said means and deliver the same under compression to the retort, a source of power for said compressing means, means independent of the compressing means and of its source ofpower, to heat the retort and its contents while under high pressure, to a temperature high enough to break down the molecules of the hydrocarbon, selective means connected to receive the product from the retort and adapted to separate the different constituents of said product, and a plurality of pipe connections to carry off the separated products from said selective means, one of said pipes leading and connected to the source of supply, with means therein to prevent loss of pressure from the heating and vaporizing the compound in the low pressure zone, means for superheating the compound in the high pressure zone, and means for passing the hydrocarbon compound from the low pressure zone to the high pressure zone and from the high pres sure zone to the low pressure zone while maintaining said zones isolated from each other, means for separating, the heavy and light constituents of the compound in the high pressure zone before condensation of the light constituents, and means out of said circuit for condensing the light constituents.

7. The process of refining liquidhydrocarbon which consists in forcing the hydrocarbon. compound repeatedly through a closed 'circuit including a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone while maintaining the portions in the difi'erent zones mechanically isolated; heating and vaporizing the same in the low pressure zone; superheating, cracking and condensing in the high pressure zone, returningto the low pressure zone the heavier constituents of the treated product and drawing off and condensing the desired product.

8. The process of refining liquid hydrocarbon which consists in forcing the hydrocarbon compound repeatedly through a closed circuit including a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone while maintaining the portions in the different zones mechanically isolated;'heating and vaporizing the same in the low pressure zone; superheating, cracking and condensing in the high pressure zone, returning to the low pressure zone the heavier constituents of the treated a FRANK E. WELLMANJ 

